A New Era in Small-Scale Hydropower

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The interior of a small turbine.
The interior of a small turbine.
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With a high enough head, a small scale hydropwer system can generate electricity from a little stream like this.
With a high enough head, a small scale hydropwer system can generate electricity from a little stream like this.
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The chart gives you a good idea of how much output in watts you may expect per different gpm (gallons per minute), for varing feet of head. Multiply the number of watts by 24-watt-hours to get the total number of watt-hours generated in one day. Divide this by system voltage to get your amp-hour per day output.
The chart gives you a good idea of how much output in watts you may expect per different gpm (gallons per minute), for varing feet of head. Multiply the number of watts by 24-watt-hours to get the total number of watt-hours generated in one day. Divide this by system voltage to get your amp-hour per day output.
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The turbine unit with attached feeder pipes.
The turbine unit with attached feeder pipes.
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The powerhouse that services the Coulter ranch houses the turbine, (left) batteries (center, in wooden box),  and the power-center and DC to AC inverter (right)
The powerhouse that services the Coulter ranch houses the turbine, (left) batteries (center, in wooden box),  and the power-center and DC to AC inverter (right)
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A typical hydroelectric layout. 1. Site of dam or weir to divert water. 2. Stock tank or pond 3. Penstock. 4. Powerhouse with electric lines running to home. 5. Rock-lined tailrace.
A typical hydroelectric layout. 1. Site of dam or weir to divert water. 2. Stock tank or pond 3. Penstock. 4. Powerhouse with electric lines running to home. 5. Rock-lined tailrace.

Two years ago, Norm and Sue Benzinger, owners of the Coulter
Lake Guest Ranch, a wilderness retreat in th Rockies, had a
problem: They were seeing too much of the propane delivery
man.

  • Published on Apr 1, 1994
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